Greensboro Transparency Abysmal

Via Inside Scoop, the John Locke Foundation rates units of local government in North Carolina on matters related to transparency.

Greensboro's average score was D.  Guilford County received a D-.

The Guilford County School system scored C-.

What were the areas where we had the most problems?  Disclosure regarding governmental contracts, funding of non-profits, and issues related to employees and salaries.

We have much of which to be ashamed.  The voters, however, appear to be relatively content with the government we have locally.

Question: is anyone surprised at our performance?

Comments

[Bubba]

And after the Town Hall District 3 meeting with Zack Matheny tonight, it comes as no surprise that Greensboro got a "D" in transparency.

From what Zack said, it's obviously not a big deal, just like several other issues discussed.

Plus, I think Zack was a little surprised at the intensity of the issue discussion. I was by no means the sole cause of the intensity.

I'll have a more complete report on the blog tomorrow.

[keith]

Joe, wait till I plan on trying to get the freedom of information act to get e mail records from local politicians.I am not playing after last week.

[Joe Guarino]

Bubba, I look forward to your full report. I wish I could have been there, and witnessed the "intensity of the issues discussion".

And Keith, I also look forward to the fruits of your efforts.

[Stormy]

Joe,

As regards GCS, there are some school districts now that are putting their check registers online for the public to see in an effort to achieve financial disclosure. I suggested this to some board members several times, but with no interest shown.

[Just Saying]

The John Locke Foundation is spot-on as usual.

The problem, as I see it, is three-fold:

1. A political ruling elite that views itself as being above the people. It's the old textile mill mentality where you had a "big bossman" whose word was law. That's how Jim Melvin ran Greensboro and its how things still get run, in large part.

2. The mainstream media is part of the elite. The News & Record should be the standard bearer for open government, as newspapers are in many cities. But the N&R is joined at the hip with Action Greensboro, the Guilford County School Board (Alan Duncan is their attorney, for crying out loud) and the City Council.

The Rhino tries to be a voice for open government, but they simply don't have the clout that the large daily has.

3. A largely apathetic citizenry. Voters elect the same people -- or the same types of people -- over and over again.

Look at the recent school board race, where Erik Huey and Alan Hawkes, two legitimate voices for change, were passed over in favor of two more representatives of the status quo.

[Joe Guarino]

Just Saying, you are precisely right. I could not agree more.

And it is interesting in the JLF rating system that the state government also scores very poorly-- in the range of D-- for the state government, agencies, and the state educational system.

[Brenda Bowers]

Perhaps when NC and Greensboro was segregated, "backwoods" and run by the "good old boys" these scores could be understood, but what reasons do we have now? In Greensboro I can understand some districts electing the people they do and will continue to elect since they are a radical, angry, believing themselves victimized group who have discovered the voting booth is power, but I am floored by others who are elected over and over again. Like who out there is not aware of the fact that Robbie Perkins is sleaze?! It is of course true that people get the kind of government they deserve. Now I guess we just have to continue trying to inform and educate the people until they deserve better. BB

[Just Saying]

Joe, the low rankings for the state's government indicates to me the problems with North Carolina's one-party system.

With few exceptions, the Democratic Party has controlled the State Legislature and Governor's Mansion since Reconstruction. As a result, the people in power feel as though they are free to do as they please without any consequences or repercussions. Witness the Jim Black fiasco as an example.

I'm not saying the Republicans would necessarily do a better job running the state (although I suspect they might). I wouldn't want to see a Republican stranglehold on power, either. What I do think is that North Carolina needs a vigorous two-party system.

If people in power know they will be voted out of office if they mess up, that provides a powerful incentive to listen to the people and do the right thing.

Monopolies promote corruption and inefficiency; competition promotes openeness, innovation and better service. Competition works in business and it works in politics, too.

[Joe Guarino]

Brenda, you ask what reasons we have now to explain our low scores. Of course, you know the answer. When you have machine government run jointly by two ruling groups, it is necessary to keep things under wraps to conceal any inappropriate moves.

And Just Saying, I have to agree once again. Our problem at the state level has been caused by one-party government. I think it would be great if McCrory were elected to perhaps shake things up a bit. I really need to step up my discussion of state issues here at this blog.

I guess the challenge we have at the local and state levels is to rise above the Boss Hogg status quo we seem to have established (harking back to the old Dukes of Hazzard TV series). It seems we should be able to do better than that.

[Joe Guarino]

By the way, Brenda, do you remember that we had City Council candidates last fall who campaigned on a platform of transparency? Who were they?

Sandra Anderson Groat? Zack Matheny? Robbie Perkins? Yvonne Johnson?

Has anything changed in a major way since the election with respect to transparency?

[Stormy]

It seems to me that there is much voter and citizens apathy about government. How else can you explain the fact that whatever the local governmental agencies, councils or boards do, nothing much ever changes? Do county residents just not get it or do they not care? How else do you explain a school district getting a bond approved that will significantly raise property taxes to pay for a $88 Million school for 1,200 students for a school board that has noty shown the ability to manage its funds effectively? Ludicrous.

[Joe Guarino]

It IS ludicrous, Stormy. And yes, it is due to apathy; but it's also due to ignorance. As I said after the primary, there is a lot of ignorance out there.

[Brenda Bowers]

Transparency!
Or maybe: TRANSPARENCY! as much as the word has been and is used by our local politicians.

Joe, "Oh yes, I remember it well" and just like that old song everyone remembers it differently I guess. BB